Posted: | February 5, 2021 01:00 PM |
---|---|
From: | Representative Patty Kim and Rep. Stephen Kinsey |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | One Fair Wage |
Our service workers continue to struggle to earn a living wage. Yet, they are the very people providing life-sustaining essential services to keep us going during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing childcare, stocking grocery store shelves, caring for the elderly and growing or producing food. These workers are entrusted with the care of our most vulnerable citizens – children and the elderly – yet, despite their challenging, difficult jobs, most fail to earn a living wage. We need to provide for these workers as they selflessly provide for us. In addition, by increasing the minimum wage, we are increasing the purchasing power of Pennsylvanians. This income will be spent at local businesses and provide the Commonwealth with a fiscal shot in the arm when we desperately need it. This is why we intend to introduce a bill that will raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour. The wage will continue to increase each year until it reaches $15 per hour and then will be tied to the consumer price index. In addition, the bill will set the tipped wage to the same level - ensuring all workers are paid a living wage. Every state surrounding Pennsylvania has raised the minimum wage for their workers. We need to pay Pennsylvania workers what they are worth and that is much higher than $7.25 per hour. The pandemic has taught us this hard lesson. I hope that you will join us so we can provide a fair wage to Pennsylvania workers. |
Introduced as HB345